Miami Heat

Written & Photographed by Claire Martin

On a girls’ trip to Miami for an occasion unbeknownst to you, I had a high-level agenda in the works before stepping foot on the plane. Sometimes you have to make shit happen for yourself and not having specifics nailed down often works in your favor. Those types of expectations can lead to disappointment and that’s not something anyone has time for. You have to get the right people on board. No overthinking, second guessing, ifs, maybes, buts or “passes” on another round. The most recent lesson learned on my journey to living hard and letting go is to just say “yes”. So, I rounded up the ultimate go-getting group, those ladies who just say “yes” and have taught me to do the same. Find those people, and don’t let them go (that’s a life tip not just a Miami one.)

So, what do you wear and where do you eat? Those are the two most important questions, and you can miss me with anything else. Just kidding…pools, beaches and clubs are all to follow close behind. The beautiful thing about evenings in Miami is that they’re a two in one. The rite of passage avows a recycled outfit between dinner and bars/clubs… you’re in Miami, remember? Since the time allotted in this outfit will be extended due to the duality of its function, shoe wear cannot and will not be underestimated.

Every article I read pertaining to “what to wear in Miami” insisted that the highest of heels were a must. And let me tell you, listening to that nonsense was mistake number one. It is true that what you wear is expected to be fancy, however, there is a decent amount of flexibility. I wore stilettos night one and by the end of dinner (the night was still young), I was ready to make them flats –DIY. On the trek back that night, my feet were #donezo and so was my vibe. Rest assured those bad boys were retired for the weekend and I learned my lesson.

Heels do not have to be your only option for dressing-up an outfit up. The nights/days to follow I paired even my nicest looks with my favorite Jeffrey Campbell lace-up combat boots. I even paired the boots with my black leather strapless mini at night and oversized crème spaghetti sun dress during the day— love a good wear and tear!

Now onto food: there are some serious staples that cannot go overlooked, but for the sake of simplicity, I am just going to highlight two. KYU and ZUMA cannot be left unmentioned and I am salivating as I reminisce. There appears to be a connection between chefs and management, which now looking back, I am not surprised.

Night one – ZUMA. Zuma is modern Japanese cuisine. The sushi is simple but deliciously fresh. As my preference with sushi is typically the more toppings the merrier, I was unexpectedly thrilled about the simplicity. The gyoza and calamari were next level, and the spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, chili and sweet soy was hands down the best flavor to ever hit my palette.

Night two- KYU is located in Wynwood neighborhood, which is known for their fun art walls that you must check out while there. I didn’t think anything could top night one, but I must say that KYU did so unequivocally. The idea is to order smaller plates for the table, similar to tapas, so everyone gets a sample. The only way I got over wanting more of a plate was through anticipating that the one to follow was even better. For instance, the Korean fried chicken was followed by crispy pork belly, mussels, and crispy tuna tartare.

Don’t be afraid to pair with a cocktail(s) because rest assured, they’re equally fire.

Miami is perfect for relaxation—simply pick a pool or beach and enjoy the calm and the sun. Or take the rowdy route and opt in for some night clubs like STORY and LIV. Whatever you do, remember these staples and not only will your memories be unreal, but so will your Instagram.

Serve looks more impressive than your Entrée...